Director of Advancement Major Gifts

Overview Job Title: Director of Advancement Major Gifts and Planned Giving Division: Advancement and Alumni Relations Department: Advancement Reports To: Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Relations Supervises: N/A Status: Exempt Full-time Date: Dec 18 2025 The Director of Advancement Major Gifts and Planned Giving is an experienced fundraising professional responsible for cultivating soliciting and stewarding major and planned gifts in support of the Universitys mission and strategic priorities. This role manages a portfolio of donors with giving capacity in the $10,000 – $100,000 range and plays a key role in advancing philanthropic support for the Universitys annual operating fund and institutional campaigns. The Director works collaboratively across the Advancement division and the University to build strong donor relationships, ensure thoughtful stewardship and achieve fundraising goals. Qualifications Key Responsibilities - Major Gifts Fundraising - Manage a portfolio of major gift prospects and donors with giving capacity in the $10,000 – $100,000 range - Develop and implement individualized cultivation solicitation and stewardship strategies - Personally solicit and close major gifts in support of the Universitys annual fund and campaign priorities - Ensure timely follow-up donor engagement and relationship progression Planned Giving - Support and advance the Universitys planned giving efforts by identifying and cultivating planned gift prospects - Engage donors in planned giving conversations aligned with their philanthropic goals and the Universitys needs - Collaborate with Advancement Services and external advisors to support documentation and stewardship of planned gifts Cultivation & Stewardship Engagement - Actively participate in donor cultivation stewardship and engagement events to help acquire new donors and deepen relationships with existing supporters - Use events and engagement opportunities strategically to increase donor commitment upgrade giving and identify new major gift prospects - Partner with Advancement colleagues to align event participation with portfolio and fundraising goals Donor Stewardship & Gift Management - Maintain accurate records of donor interactions strategies and gift intent in the Universitys fundraising database - Demonstrate an understanding of gift designation and donor intent including restricted and unrestricted giving - Partner with Advancement Services and Finance to support accurate gift processing reporting and stewardship - Assist with donor impact reporting and ongoing communications Collaboration & Institutional Engagement - Work collaboratively with Advancement colleagues University leadership faculty and volunteers to support fundraising efforts - Participate in events donor meetings and engagement activities as appropriate - Contribute to a positive donor-centered culture within the Advancement division Required Qualifications - Bachelors degree required - Minimum 5 years of successful major gifts fundraising experience including planned giving - Demonstrated ability to close gifts in the $10,000 – $100,000 range - Understanding of donor development best practices and relationship-based fundraising - Working knowledge of gift designation donor intent and restricted vs. unrestricted funding - Experience using fundraising databases and CRM systems - Strong written and verbal communication skills - High level of professionalism integrity and discretion Preferred Qualifications - Experience in higher education or a complex nonprofit environment - Familiarity with major gifts campaign fundraising - Ability to work effectively with senior leaders faculty and diverse stakeholders About the University Dominican University of California is committed to academic excellence social justice and community engagement. The University values diversity equity and inclusion and encourages applications from candidates who share these commitments. Dominican University of California is an independent international learner-centered university offering both undergraduate and graduate programs. Dominican has a 1:10 teacher-to-student ratio an average class size of 16 with a small-town feeling in a park- like campus. We blend interdisciplinary core courses real-world studies and small classes with close and supportive academic advising and mentoring Dominican University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to excellence through diversity and takes pride in its multicultural environment. We are committed in thought word and deed to recruiting and retaining a workforce that values the diversity of its student body. The University actively promotes an institutional culture that practices equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of all under-represented groups in higher education Dominican University of California participates in E-Verify an online system used to verify the employment eligibility of all new hires in accordance with federal law. Additional Details - Required Experience: Director - Key Skills: Crisis Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Fundraising, Media Relations, Constant Contact, Strategic Planning, Social Media Management, Team Management, Public Speaking, Wordpress, Writing Skills - Employment Type : Full-Time - Experience: years - Vacancy: 1 - Monthly Salary: 89250 - 105000 #J-18808-Ljbffr